(CNN) – US job growth accelerated much more than expected last month, providing some extra comfort to the current stability of the labor market.
Employers created about 254,000 jobs in September, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figure is higher than that of August (revised upwards to 159,000) and exceeds the expectations of economists, who expected an increase of 140,000 jobs.
The unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 4.1%, according to the bureau’s report.
The Federal Reserve, now very focused on protecting the labor market as high inflation appears to have been brought under control, is closely examining employment data for any signs of weakness.
This news is in development and will be updated.
